Asa Newell has made his case this preseason in one clear area: he’s been cleaning the glass. Night after night, opponents have had no answer for his ability to create extra possessions for the Hawks, and that kind of work on the boards has put him in position to grab a real rotation role under Coach Snyder this season.
But there’s a problem hanging over that progress. The shot from deep that helped define Newell’s rookie year has gone missing in October, and the Hawks are looking at a very different player from the one who surprised people with his range last season.
Newell’s three-point numbers this preseason have been rough. Over four games, he’s gone 2-for-16 from beyond the arc, which comes out to 12.5%.
His latest outing was especially hard to ignore: against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 12th, he finished 1/9 from deep. That kind of stretch doesn’t just look ugly in a box score - it threatens to pull him back toward the version of himself defenses were willing to ignore during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs.
That’s the real concern here. Newell was a fairly steady three-point shooter last year, and the early part of his rookie season even had him leading the NBA in three-point percentage through the first half, though on low volume. This preseason has been the opposite story.
And for Atlanta, the consequences could be bigger than one cold shooting stretch. Hawks fans already know how much spacing matters when Dyson Daniels is on the floor.
Daniels was productive enough in 2024-2025 to win MIP honors, but last season his shot vanished and defenses treated him accordingly. If Newell’s perimeter touch disappears too, the Hawks could be staring at a lineup problem that’s hard to survive in today’s NBA.
Even with Jalen Johnson in the mix, the margin gets thin fast if his outside shot goes cold as well. Put Daniels and Newell together, and add a third shaky shooter, and the offense can run out of room in a hurry.
In Other News...
Hawks Make Another Back-End Roster Move With A Familiar Purpose
The preseason churn around the league is starting to look familiar, and the Hawks are part of it again. Charlotte most recently cycled through forward Wyatt Fricks, guard DaJuan Gordon and then guard Latrell Wrightsell, a sequence that fits the now-common pattern of giving undrafted players a brief NBA look before moving on to the next camp body.
For Atlanta, it is another reminder of how these back-end roster moves work this time of year. Gordon and Wrightsell both bring G League experience, and the likely Exhibit 10 structure gives teams a way to keep tabs on developmental guards without committing a standard roster spot, a tactic the Rockets, Jazz and Nets have also used as they sort through preseason decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Opening Night Lineup Comes With One Big Offensive Concern
The Hawks are heading into opening night against the Magic with a projected starting five of CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, a group that looks sturdy on the defensive end and versatile enough to give opponents different looks. On paper, it has the feel of a lineup built to compete possession by possession, with enough size, athleticism and switchability to keep things organized while Atlanta settles into the season.
Still, the bigger question is where the half-court scoring comes from when the game slows down and the Hawks need someone to manufacture a good shot. McCollum brings proven offensive skill, but the balance of the lineup leans heavily toward defense and connective play, which is why the opening-night mix may not be the same one Atlanta leans on later. Depending on how things develop, there could be room for changes down the road, including a different look with Lu Dort in the first unit or Aaron Wiggins in closing lineups. [Read more 🡒]
Asa Newell Is Already Forcing A Big Hawks Role Conversation
Asa Newells first preseason with the Hawks offered exactly the kind of early glimpse teams hope to get from a first-round pick, even if it came with the usual growing pains. The 2025 selection showed flashes of the defensive versatility that made him interesting in the first place, moving comfortably within Atlantas system and making it easy to see why the organization views him as more than a long-term project.
The bigger question now is how quickly the Hawks want to expand his responsibilities. Newells shooting has been uneven, especially from deep, and that is not a new concern after his college struggles in that area. For now, Atlanta seems inclined to lean into what he already does well, valuing his switchability on defense and his ability to contribute without needing the ball as the center of his offensive game. [Read more 🡒]